GENERAL EXAMINATION 13 



bone. In the instance of the horse possessing quality, the 

 lines of the face are clearly defined and in every region there 

 is a complete absence of coarseness. It is possible in such a 

 horse to easily distinguish the muscles, tendons and bones 

 and when slightly exerted, so that the coat lies smooth, the 

 veins in the skin show clearly in an intricate net work as 

 delicate and fine grained as the skin. This freedom from 

 coarseness in the joints and tendons show a soundness in 

 these features that guarantees durability. Coarse hair is 

 associated with coarse skin and that is a true indication of 

 soft, spongy bones which quickly become diseased when sub- 

 jected to the strain of hard usage or neglect. 



14. Endurance Indicated by Quality. The connection 

 between a horse's staying power or endurance and its quality 

 is frequently seen when subjected to severe road work, but 

 the reason for the connection is not so plainly evident. The 

 fine skin that is one of the features of high quality is consid- 

 ered to be of value for what it tells of the internal organiza- 

 tion of the animal, for it may be said in a general way that 

 the one skin covers the horse internally as well as externally. 

 The inner coat of the skin which covers the ribs and all exter- 

 nal parts is a continuation of that which lines the stomach 

 and intestines. If the skin covering the internal region is 

 soft, fine and pliable it indicates that the secretions are 

 healthy and it would seem natural to reason from this that 

 the lining of the stomach would be in the same state, and if 

 such is the case it is in a better condition to digest the food 

 that goes into it, thereby increasing the horse's recuperative 

 powers and endurance. 



15. Durability Associated with Quality. Quality in a 

 horse's limbs and feet is especiall}- desirable for the reason 

 that such prove more durable under stress or strain. In 

 looking for this feature in the leg, it is a common practice to 

 run the hand over the cannon bone. In doing this the skin 

 and hair are felt against the bone and if there is the proper 



